Tamara Gibbs, of Dover, pumps gas at the Hess station along U.S. 13 in Wilmington recently. Gov. Jack Markell's proposal would hike the state's per-gallon gas tax by 10 cents to pay for transportation improvements, including safety upgrades, bridge repairs and widening congested byways.

Written by

Melissa Nann Burke and Jon Offredo
| The News Journal

Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt on Friday urged a gathering of cyclists and trail enthusiasts to "go out and plug the gas tax" to ensure his agency doesn't have to reduce its construction budget and delay projects.

"We have great plans and great visions, but it takes money," Bhatt said, addressing the Heels & Wheels Delaware Walk/Bike Summit in Newark. "Remember, if we don't have money, we can't do some of these projects."